Ukraine Calls For New Talks With Russia Amid Enhanced Sanctions  

Ukraine called for a new round of peace negotiations with Russia over the weekend, as both sides have come under growing international pressure to agree to a ceasefire, with the European Union approving the latest sanctions package against Moscow, Politico reported. 

In a Saturday address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s newly appointed National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov had proposed “a meeting at the leadership level” with Russia for the coming week. The focus of the talks would cover issues such as a ceasefire, prisoner exchanges, and the return of deported Ukrainian children.  

The president reiterated Kyiv’s readiness to negotiate, adding that “Russia must stop avoiding decisions.” 

In response, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Moscow had received the proposal, saying that Russia was “ready to move quickly” but maintained that its “objectives” remained unchanged: He was referring to Moscow’s calls for Ukraine to remain under its sphere of influence and pledge to stay out of NATO.  

Previous talks between the warring sides took place in Turkey in early June, but collapsed barely more than an hour after they began. Russia reportedly demanded major territorial concessions as part of its preconditions for a ceasefire, which Ukraine has repeatedly refused, according to CNN. 

Analysts said the renewed diplomatic push comes after US President Donald Trump threatened Moscow with a 50-day deadline to agree to a ceasefire or face sweeping tariffs on Russian goods, including “secondary tariffs” targeting countries that purchase Russian oil.  

Trump has expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin, reportedly calling the latter’s recent ceasefire assurances “bullsh-t.” 

Meanwhile, the EU finalized its 18th sanctions package since the war began in February 2022, aimed at tightening economic pressure on Moscow, Radio Free Europe noted. 

The new measures include a new dynamic price cap on Russian oil exports that would lower the Group of Seven cap from $60 to $47.6 per barrel. The cap is designed to adjust automatically to stay within 15 percent of average long-term oil prices. 

The measures also include a ban on transactions with the Nord Stream pipelines, targeting shipping insurers, and expanding enforcement against Russia’s “shadow fleet” – vessels bypassing sanctions to export oil. 

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc is “striking at the heart of Russia’s war machine,” and will maintain pressure until Russia ends its invasion. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said the sanctions are “unprecedented” and vowed to work with the US to “force Vladimir Putin into a ceasefire.” 

Zelenskyy called the EU measures “essential and timely,” citing escalating Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities, including a recent barrage of over 300 drones and 30 missiles.